Designing with

Laminated Glass

Presented by: Kamal Niazy

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manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any

material or product. Questions related to specific materials,

methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of

this presentation.

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Learning Objectives

• Learn about the types of interlayers

used in laminated glass

• Identify the added benefits of each

interlayer

• Identify architectural uses for laminated

glass

• Testing and standards

• Compatibility issues

Program topics

• What is laminated glass?

• Types of laminated glass interlayers

• Interlayer comparison

• Architectural uses of laminated glass

• Testing and standards related to

laminated glass

• Compatibility of coatings, sealants, and

frits

What is laminated

glass?

Laminated Glass

• Two or more lites of

glass and one or

more interlayers

• Glass retention if

breakage occurs

• Types of laminated

glass– Polyvinyl butyral (PVB)

– Ionoplast

Typical Laminating Line

Glass washerLay up

Nip rolls

Ovens

Unloading area

Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB)

• Polyvinyl butyral interlayer developed over 70 years

ago for automotive windshields

• UV filtration up to 99%

• Noise reduction due to “damping” properties of

interlayer

• Variety of thicknesses and colors

• Meets safety glazing standards

• Many decorative options

Kimmel Center

PVB Examples

Ionoplast Interlayers

• Initially developed for improved performance in windborne debris regions

• Up to 100x stiffer than PVB, 5x more tear resistant

• Variety of thicknesses

• Clear and translucent white

• Exposed edge durability

• Enhanced post-glass breakage performance

Ionoplast Laminates

Chemical Heritage

Museum glass

walkway

Cleveland Clinic

Marina Bay Sands

Resort

PVB and Ionoplast

Interlayer Comparison

Interlayer Comparison

Better performance

with minimally-

supported glazing

Glass retentionPost-glass breakage

Better performance at

higher pressures;

more tear resistant

Small and large

missile

Hurricane impact

resistance

Excellent in open

edge applications

Good when captured;

may develop edge

blush when exposed

Edge performance

Clear or Translucent

White

ManyColor options

UltraclearSlight yellowish tintClarity

IonoplastPVBAttribute

Interlayer Comparison

YesYesUV Resistance

More strength & less

deflection in minimally-

supported systems

Approximately the same

as monolithic at ambient

temperature

Strength

Sheet: Maximum width

248cm

Roll widths (.89mm:

121cm, 152cm, 182cm)

Maximum width 321cm

in .38mm, .76mm and

1.52mml thicknesses

Sizes

.89mm for low level

blast, 1.52mm for

intrusion resistance

1.52mm good for low

level blast & intrusion

resistance

Security

Not likely to develop

edge effects from

sealants

Can develop bubbles on

glass edge

Sealant compatibility

IonoplastPVBAttribute

Architectural Uses

for Laminated Glass

Safety Glazing• Hazardous locations

including doors, glazed

panels, glazing in and

bath enclosures shower

• Laminated glass tested

to Consumer Product

Safety Commission

standard 16CFR 1201

• 542 N/m impact test

Hurricane Impact Resistance

• Resists penetration from windborne debris

• Used in large and small missile impact systems

• Protects people and property

• 24/7 performance

Typical projects

Condominiums, hotels, homes, office

buildings, hospitals, emergency

facilities, schools and universities,

retail, airports, courthouses,

municipal buildings, libraries

Intrusion Resistance

• Resists physical attack

• Deters smash & grab

criminals

• Protects valuable

merchandise

• Maintains transparency

UV Resistance

• Additive in interlayer

blocks up to 99%

harmful UV rays

• Helps to reduce fading

of fabrics and other

interior furnishings

Hospital lobby, Tavares, FL

Toronto shopping mall skylight

High UV option

• When UV is required,

1.52mm ionoplast

interlayers can be

ordered without UV filter

• Especially critical for

plants, some animals,

and insects

Botanical garden skylight in Madrid

Sound reduction

• PVB laminates reduce

sound transmission

over monolithic glass

• Insulating glass units

with laminated glass

provide superior sound

attenuation

Acoustical testing at ATI Laboratories, USA

Structural Glass• Facades

• Skylights

• Glass roofs

• Stair treads

• Glass bridges

• Canopies

• Railings

Curved laminated glass railing at movie theater in Italy

Interior skylight in Phoenix Courthouse

Glass walkway in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Facades

• Traditional & minimally

supported façade

systems

• Missile impact facades

and storefront systems

High rise building in China

Las Vegas Speedway, Planar/SentryGlas® System

Factory in Japan, Sears Tower in Chicago

Skylights

• IBC requires laminated

glass with a minimum

.76mm PVB interlayer

(or equivalent) to

prevent glass fall out

• Skylights provide

natural light

Railings

• Heat-strengthened and

tempered laminates

• Laminated glass

provides glass retention

after breakage

• Laminated glass

required in windborne

debris areas

New England Aquarium, Boston, Padres Stadium in San Diego,

curved railing in Genoa, Italy

Canopies

• Laminated glass

provides safety from

falling glass

• Translucent, colored,

and decorative

laminated interlayers

and glass, provide

variety of design

choices

Canopy at subway entrance and rail station

Glass Walkways

Grand Canyon Skywalk, Arizona

Stair treads

Laminated glass, stair treads and bridge at

Apple Store, New York

Testing & Standards

Blast

• Shock tube and arena

testing to ASTM F1642

Test Method

• Testing program 41kPa,

282 kPa-msec

USA General Services

Administration (GSA)

< 1 m (3.3 feet)

< 2 m (10 ft)

< .5m

(2 ft)

1, 2

3a 3b4

5

Side view into test chamber

Look at location of glass fragments

Condition Protection

Level

Hazard

Level

Description of Glazing

Response

1 Safe None Glass does not break

2 Very

High

None Glass cracks but retained

in frame

3a High Very

Low

Glass cracks. Fragments

land on floor no further

than 3.3 feet.

3b High Low Glass cracks. Fragments

land on floor no further

than 10 feet.

4 Medium Medium Glass cracks. Fragments

land on floor no further

than 10 or height no

greater than 2 feet above

floor at witness 10 feet

away.

5 Low High Glass cracks and

catastrophic failure

Minimize hazard from flying glass shards – hazard/protection rating

Test Results

IGU constructions GSA Rating

• 3mm FT | 12mm AS | 3mm AN | 0.89mm ionoplast | 3mm AN 2

• 3mm FT | 12mm AS | 3mm8 AN | 0.89mm ionoplast | 3mm AN 2

• 3mm FT | 12mm AS | 3mm AN | 0.76mm PVB | 3mm AN 3a

• 3mm FT | 12mm AS | 3mm AN | 1.52mm PVB | 3mm AN 3b

• 6mm FT | 12mm AS | 6mm AN | 0.89mm ionoplast | 6mm AN 2

Monolithic laminate constructions

• 3mm AN | .89mm ionoplast | 3mm 2

• 3mm AN | .76mm PVB | 3mm 3a

• 3mm AN | 1.52mm PVB | 3mm AN 2

• 6mm AN | 0.89mm ionoplast | 6mm AN 2

• 6mm AN | 0.76mm PVB | 6mm AN 2

Ballistics

• Composite laminates

comprised of multiple

plies of glass and both

PVB and ionoplast

interlayers

• Testing done for most

levels of UL 752 and

NIJ 0108.01

Ballistics Levels

427-46989mm

838-9229.77.62mm

Rifle

774-85211.7.30-60 Caliber Rifle

411-44115.6.44 Magnum

381-41910.2.357

Magnum

358-39489mm

Velocity

(mps)

Bullet Mass

(g)

Ammunition

Courthouses and automotive vehicles

may incorporate ballistics laminates for security

Underwriters Laboratories UL 752

Missile Impact

• Resists penetration

from windborne debris

• Used in large and small

missile impact systems

• Protects people and

property

• No need for plywood or

storm shutters

• Building code compliant

Demonstration of air cannon test for certification of hurricane system

Test Requirements

4100 g 2 x 4 @

24.38 mps

Followed by 9000

pressure cycles

4100 g 2 x 4 @

15.25 mps

Followed by 9000

pressure cycles

2 gram balls

@ 39.62 mps

Followed by

9000 pressure

cycles

Missile E*< 9.1 meters

Missile D< 9.1 meters

Missile A> 9.1 meters

*Missile E applications include hospitals, healthcare facilities,police stations, fire rescue stations, emergency shelters,

communications centers, jails and detention centers, buildings

critical to the national defense

Psychiatric Facilities

• Office of Mental

Health/State of New

York

• 907 kg impact to the

framed glazing

• No holes or punctures

in the glazing allowed

Impact testing of security windows at test laboratory in the United States

Glass Railing Test Program

Glass floors

• ASTM E2751 Standard

Practice

– Calculation method

• Determine glass

stresses and deflection

• Consider concentrated

live load of at least 136

kg

– Testing

• Before testing, break

one ply of glass

• Evaluate slip resistance

Laminated glass floor in Taiwan beauty salon

Compatibility of

coatings, sealants,

& frits

Sealant Compatibility

• Many sealants compatible with PVB and

ionoplast interlayers

• Sealant compatibility requires testing

and verification

Coating Compatibility

• The following companies manufacture low-E coatings that are compatible with ionoplast interlayers:

– Cardinal

– PPG

– Guardian

– AGC

– Viracon

Frit Compatibility

• Paints and frits require testing to verify

compatibility

• Can be placed on the inside of the

laminate if testing demonstrates

acceptable adhesion

Conclusions

• Both PVB and ionoplast laminates break

safely—the glass does not vacate the frame

• Both PVB and ionoplast interlayers glass offer

safety and design versatility

• Laminated glass complies with building code

requirements for safety and impact resistance

• Laminated glass provides impact resistance

to windborne debris in hurricanes and bomb

blasts

Conclusions

• PVB laminates effectively dampen sound

• PVB laminates can be designed for intrusion,

blast, and seismic performance

• Ionoplast interlayers are especially suited for

structural designs, including bolted glass

façade and railings, laminated glass floors,

stair treads, skylights and canopies

• Ionoplast laminates can offer thickness and

weight benefits

Thank you.

Questions?This concludes the American Institute of Architects

Continuing Education Systems Program